Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Georgia

Georgia Tech stands out among Georgia's Design and Applied Arts programs with graduates earning $49,527 annually, nearly double the field average, despite charging just $13,289 in net costs. This reflects the school's connection to Atlanta's booming tech sector, where design thinking drives everything from user interfaces to smart city planning. The state's 15 programs show dramatic cost variations, with University of North Georgia offering the lowest net price at $10,785 while Savannah College of Art and Design reaches $45,450. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six schools under $17,000 in net costs. The HOPE Scholarship makes these public options even more accessible for Georgia residents maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Fort Valley State demonstrates selectivity doesn't always correlate with cost, accepting only 43% of applicants while maintaining an $11,609 net price.

Programs

$10,785 – $45,450

Net Price Range

$30,714

Avg. Program Earnings

46.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
2	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
3	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
4	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
5	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
6	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
7	American InterContinental University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$15,774	$13,416	21.1%
8	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
9	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
10	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786	$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
11	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
12	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
13	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116	$18,238	22.7%
14	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
15	Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, Georgia	$45,450	$40,595	70.5%	81.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $38,665 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of North Georgia at $10,785 and Savannah College of Art and Design at $45,450 represent opposite ends of Georgia's design education spectrum. Public universities like UNG benefit from state funding and the HOPE Scholarship, while private art schools like SCAD offer specialized facilities and industry connections. The middle ground shows interesting options like Georgia Tech at $13,289 with the highest graduate earnings at $49,527.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable Georgia design programs?

Georgia Tech leads with a 92.3% graduation rate despite moderate costs, while some budget options struggle with completion. Middle Georgia State shows the lowest rate at 25.6% for $13,922, suggesting cost alone doesn't predict success. Fort Valley State achieves a solid 45.2% rate while maintaining high selectivity at 43% acceptance, indicating quality education at an accessible $11,609 price point.

Does the HOPE Scholarship significantly impact design program affordability?

Georgia residents with 3.0 GPAs can attend University of North Georgia for just $5,009 annually through HOPE, making it extremely affordable for design studies. Valdosta State costs only $6,007 with HOPE coverage, while Georgia Tech remains reasonable at $11,764 in-state. Private schools like Young Harris still cost $32,305 even after aid, showing HOPE's power for public university access.

Where do Georgia design graduates find the best earning potential relative to program costs?

Georgia Tech offers the strongest return with $49,527 average earnings for a $13,289 investment, benefiting from Atlanta's tech industry demand for design professionals. Georgia Southern graduates earn $36,668 annually after paying $16,531, providing solid value in the state's logistics and business sectors. Even affordable programs like University of North Georgia produce graduates earning $29,461, nearly three times the annual program cost.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.